Home Inspection FAQs

Homeowners

Q: How long does an inspection normally take?

A: Depending on the property, the entire process can take up to 2-4 hours, and we strongly encourage you to attend the inspection. A verbal summary is provided to you at the completion of the inspection and your written report is availableÂ 2-3 business daysÂ following the inspection. If the report is required earlier, please let us know.

Q:Â Do I have to be there?

While we cannot insist, we stronglyÂ encourage the customer to be at the inspection, for a number of reasons.

At the end of the inspection we deliverÂ a verbal summary of our findings, supplementary to our written report (2-3 business day). This avoids any “surprises” when the customer receives our written report.

Also, any time a house in Quebec is listed for sale through a licensed agent or broker, it is mandatory for the agent/broker to complete a OACIQ (l’organisme d’autoreglementation du courtage immobilier du Quebec) approved Vendor’s Declaration form. It is our inspector’s responsibility to review the Vendor’s Declaration in detail with the our customer. Our inspector will review over 400 components of the house, and we believe it is critical that the customer be present. See also page 2 of our Inspection Service Agreement that confirms that our inspector reviewed the Vendor’s Declaration, but just as important, that our customer accompanied our inspector at the exterior and the interior and they did or did not see evidence of mould, moisture, or cracks, etc. and the customer signs to this effect. This is helpful in the event of a call-back and/or litigation.

Lastly, it is helpful for the customer to be present to sign ourÂ detailed Inspection ServiceÂ Agreement, as well as to make payment arrangements with the inspector present to answer any questions.

Questions from Homebuyers and Sellers

Q: How long does an inspection normally take?

A: The entire process can take up to 2.5-3 hours, and we strongly encourage you to attend the inspection. A verbal summary is provided to you at the completion of the inspection and your written report is available within 48 hours following the inspection. If the report is required earlier, please let us know.

Q: What is all involved with an AmeriSpec pre-purchase inspection?

A: An AmeriSpec pre-purchase inspection with our firm comprises a review of over 400 components of a home. We generally start at the exterior where we inspect from the foundation to the roof. We will mount the roof assuming it is not too high and the weather permits. We check windows, doors, brick, exterior wall coverings, gutter systems if present, etc. Once we have finished outside, we proceed to the basement of the house where we check all major services in the house, such as heating, plumbing and electrical. We then work our way from room to room, up to the attic. When we enter the attic, we are checking for sufficient circulation of air, type and quantity of insulation, any evidence of water infiltration, and the possibility of bathrooms venting into the attic.

Our inspectors take photos of any condition or any point they want to highlight in the report for further attention or follow-up action.

Q: Are your home inspectors insured?

A: All of our inspectors are members of a recognized association, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors of Quebec (AIIICQ). They are all covered with Errors and Omissions insurance.

Questions from Real Estate Agents

Q: If I refer AmeriSpec Home Inspection Montreal, Monteregie & West MonteregieÂ to a customer, am I liable?

A: No! AmeriSpec home inspectors have Errors and Omissions insurance and are certified. In fact, OACIQ insists any inspector referred to a buyer must be certified and insured; otherwise the real estate agent is not permitted to even refer them. All of our inspectors are members of AIIICQ. They must be certified by AmeriSpec in order for them to qualify for and participate in our E&O insurance policy. Our inspectors are all nationally certified, which means they have achieved a national accreditation, entitling them to work in other provinces across the country. The national accreditation is a program recognized across the country and is recognized by CMHC.

A: Whether you're a buyer or a seller, a
home inspection provides invaluable
details about the condition of a home.
It's important for homeowners to learn
as much as they can about a property,
so they can make any necessary
repairs if they have been reported.
Home inspectors can also suggest
preventative measures that will help you
avoid costly future repairs.